National Debt (% of GDP): Germany
Germany's national debt (% of gdp) is currently 66.0% as of 2026. # Germany National Debt (% of GDP) Germany's national debt stood at 66% of GDP in 2026, reflecting a moderate debt burden compared to its historical extremes.
Current (2026)
66.0%
+2.5% y/y
Peak (2010)
81.0%
Low (1991)
39.0%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1991–2026 · 40 pts
National Debt (% of GDP) — Germany
1991 — 2026
National Debt (% of GDP) — Germany
Analysis# Germany National Debt (% of GDP)
Germany's national debt stood at 66% of GDP in 2026, reflecting a moderate debt burden compared to its historical extremes. The country's peak debt ratio of 81% occurred in 2010 following the global financial crisis, while the lowest point of 39% was recorded in 1991 after German reunification. Over the 35-year span from 1991 to 2026, the debt-to-GDP ratio increased by 69.2 percentage points, demonstrating a significant long-term upward trajectory despite recent stabilization efforts.
A major turning point emerged between 2017 and 2019, when Germany reduced its debt ratio from 64% to 58.7% through fiscal discipline and economic growth. However, the COVID-19 pandemic reversed this progress in 2020, pushing debt back to 68%. Since then, the ratio has declined gradually to 66% by 2026, suggesting modest deleveraging but without returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Historical Data
40 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 73.6% | +2.79% |
| 2029 | 71.6% | +2.73% |
| 2028 | 69.7% | +2.80% |
| 2027 | 67.8% | +2.73% |
| 2026 | 66.0% | +2.48% |
| 2025 | 64.4% | +1.42% |
| 2024 | 63.5% | +1.76% |
| 2023 | 62.4% | -3.11% |
| 2022 | 64.4% | -5.29% |
| 2021 | 68.0% | +0.00% |
| 2020 | 68.0% | +15.84% |
| 2019 | 58.7% | -3.45% |
| 2018 | 60.8% | -5.00% |
| 2017 | 64.0% | -6.30% |
| 2016 | 68.3% | -4.07% |
| 2015 | 71.2% | -4.43% |
| 2014 | 74.5% | -3.87% |
| 2013 | 77.5% | -2.88% |
| 2012 | 79.8% | +1.66% |
| 2011 | 78.5% | -3.09% |
Show all 40 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 81.0% | +11.88% |
| 2009 | 72.4% | +11.04% |
| 2008 | 65.2% | +2.35% |
| 2007 | 63.7% | -4.07% |
| 2006 | 66.4% | -1.04% |
| 2005 | 67.1% | +3.23% |
| 2004 | 65.0% | +2.69% |
| 2003 | 63.3% | +5.85% |
| 2002 | 59.8% | +2.93% |
| 2001 | 58.1% | -1.86% |
| 2000 | 59.2% | -1.82% |
| 1999 | 60.3% | +1.52% |
| 1998 | 59.4% | +1.02% |
| 1997 | 58.8% | +1.91% |
| 1996 | 57.7% | +5.10% |
| 1995 | 54.9% | +15.58% |
| 1994 | 47.5% | +5.32% |
| 1993 | 45.1% | +8.94% |
| 1992 | 41.4% | +6.15% |
| 1991 | 39.0% | — |
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